It was the ignorance of my enemies
that I should have pitied instead of condemned."
Fernando suspected the bent of Sukey's mind long before he made the
announcement that he intended to enter the ministry. Back to the
Maryland Academy at Baltimore went Sukey. He entered the theological
department, and four years later began a long and successful
ministerial career.
Major Stevens had not forgotten his promise to pay the Maryland village
a visit. If he had been disposed to forget his promise, which he was
not, he would have been reminded of it by a letter which he received
shortly after he returned home. The envelope was small, and the
superscription was written in a neat feminine hand. Small as the
envelope was, the letter contained much, for it was closely written and
every page filled from top to bottom. There were other letters and
petitions from the grateful citizens asking him to be present at the
barbecue and Fourth of July celebration at the town of Mariana. None of
these letters or invitations had stronger effect to induce him to take a
journey to Maryland, than the closely penned missive did, though it was
only a friendly letter.
Fernando set out the first of June. Peace again reigned over the fair
land, and the country was all ablaze with glory. The ploughboy's whistle
was heard in every field in harmony with the lark. The journey by mail
coach was a pleasant one, for, being in no great haste, he traveled by
easy stages, stopping over frequently to rest.
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